Can glasses cause headaches?
Glasses can cause headaches in people who wear them for several different reasons. Most instances where glasses cause headaches are due to eyestrain.
What Is Eyestrain?
When you think of the muscles’ location in your body, your eye is probably not the first body part that comes to mind. The eye actually has six strong muscles that work together to move the eye.
- The superior rectus is attached to the top of the eye and moves the eye upward.
- The inferior rectus is attached to the bottom of the eye and moves the eye downward.
- The medial rectus is attached to the side of the eye near the nose and moves the eye horizontally toward the nose.
- The lateral rectus is attached to the other side of the eye near the temple and moves the eye outward.
- Two additional muscles, the superior oblique and the inferior oblique, also aid in eye movement.
When these muscles become fatigued or strained from overuse, eyestrain occurs.
Another part of the eye that is susceptible to strain is the ciliary body. The ciliary body helps to change the shape of the lens, which brings objects into focus.
The most common symptom of eyestrain is a headache.
Why Would Glasses Cause Headaches Due to Eyestrain?
There are several reasons that your glasses could be causing you eyestrain. One common cause of eyestrain is wearing glasses that are not prescribed for your individual needs. Wearing the wrong prescription will cause your eyes to work overtime, attempting to bring an object into focus.
A new prescription may also cause headaches as your eyes adjust to the changes. Alternatively, the prescription may be inaccurate and need correction.
New Glasses
New glasses can mean many new adjustments for your eyes, but give your eyes time to get used to your new prescription. One eye may have a much higher prescription than the other eye, making you feel off-balance and causing some eyestrain.
Astigmatism
With astigmatism, the lens should be centered in the middle of your eye. If it is not properly centered, it can cause headaches and will require adjustment.
Strong Prescription
A strong prescription can distort your peripheral vision when looking through the lens, but you should get used to that over time.
Physical Adjustments to Glasses
Sometimes something as simple as the nose support not being centered correctly on your face can cause headaches.
How to Prevent Eyestrain-Induced Headaches
The best way to prevent eyestrain caused by glasses is to ensure you have an up-to-date prescription. You should visit your eye care professional once yearly to ensure your prescription’s accuracy.
Working on a computer screen for extended periods can also cause eye strain, especially if you wear glasses due to the glare. If you think this may cause your eyestrain-induced headaches, purchase lenses with an anti-reflective coating. The coating reduces glare by minimizing the light reflecting off the lenses.
